Affliction Warlock Artifact Challenge

Learn how to defeat the Artifact Challenge encounter, Contrastare i Gemelli, as an Affliction Warlock. In this guide, we'll go over optimal talents, legendaries, gear, consumables, and spec-specific tips. This guide is written by <Vulgar>'s Pyromancer. You can find them at youtube.com/pyromancersargeras, or contact them on Sargeras. You can also find them at Vulgar Guild.

Affliction Warlock Challenge Appearance

In this section I will go over the strategy for the Affliction Warlock Challenge Appearance!

The artifact appearance is a unique reward from completing a challenging solo scenario that can only be entered while the Mage Tower building is active on the Broken Shore. It rewards a unique artifact appearance.

Affliction - Spine of the Condemned

Video Alternative

If you learn better from watching an encounter, check out this video! Please note, this video was made on the first day and things may have changed since then.

Preparation

Below, you will find some recommended items/talents you should have before attempting the scenario. These are just a guideline. You can do the scenario without some of these items but you may run into a bit more trouble than others.

Gear

For this scenario, the recommended gear level can vary depending on which Legendary items you have. Warlocks as low as 885 have done this challenge if they possess Assalto Oscuro di Sacrolash. This and Pilastri del Portale Oscuro are the most beneficial pieces of gear you can use in this scenario. If you do not possess either of these items, use whatever your two best Legendary items are if you don't have the above two.

At this stage in legion I would reccomend having at least 930 item level and 66+ traits for this scenario, if you are looking for a real challenge and are confident in your ability or have Assalto Oscuro di Sacrolash you can do it at much lower item levels.

Consumables

Talents (PLEASE READ)

There are several talent choices you can take for this fight, regardless of whether or not you have Assalto Oscuro di Sacrolash. Please keep this in mind as you read onward. There are many different kills which utilize many different talents, even though it may not be directly recommended in this guide.

Tier 3:Circolo Demoniaco is incredibly useful for quickly moving away from adds/Karam. The other two talents provide fears which are nearly completely useless on this encounter. Spira Letale is also useful as an extra heal/to get yourself some space if necessary.

Tier 4: I certainly recommend Semina, as it will provide more AoE damage to the shadow adds. You can also chose Singolarità Fantasma as this is an instant cast you can cast it while moving. This also does a decent amount of AoE damage. If you're having a hard time bursting down the bosses you can spec Mietitura delle Anime but when you're using Assalto Oscuro di Sacrolash this shouldn't be a big problem as you can easily outrun Karam and the adds.

Tier 5:Rapidità Bruciante is the winner here in most cases. It is very useful for kiting Karam and getting to Summoning Circles quickly.

Tier 6:Rito della Supremazia is the clear choice here. Neither of the other talents should be used. Your Doomguard has a 30 yard interrupt and does decent single target damage as well, which is invaluable on this fight.

Tier 2:Contagio and Corruzione Totale are interchangeable in this situation. Contagio will yield more damage to whatever target you are focusing on, however Corruzione Totale will allow you to forget about reapplying Corruzione to Karim and the shadow adds you will see below. This will also help you kill the shadow adds faster.

Tier 3:Circolo Demoniaco is incredibly useful for quickly moving away from adds/Karam. The other two talents provide fears which are nearly completely useless on this encounter.

Tier 4:Singolarità Fantasma is a very strong choice, this is an instant cast which means you can cast it while running away from Karam or the adds. It does a decent amount of AoE damage which can be very useful aswell. If you're having a hard time bursting down Karam you can potentially spec Mietitura delle Anime but i prefer Singolarità Fantasma.

Tier 5:Rapidità Bruciante is the winner here in most cases. It is very useful for kiting Karam and getting to Summoning Circles quickly.

Tier 6:Rito della Supremazia is the clear choice here. Neither of the other talents should be used. Your Doomguard has a 30 yard interrupt and does decent single target damage as well, which is invaluable on this fight.

Start by DPS'ing Karam, pre-pot as he is about to become hostile, kite him around the room, making use of your Varco Demoniaco and Circolo Demoniaco. Use Rapidità Bruciante to gain a lead on him if necessary. If he hits you, you will take very high damage and be knocked back about 25 yards.

At roughly 33% Karam will become immune and heal back the majority of his health.

Intermission 1

Periodically, he will tear open a rift from the nether. It spawns 4 Vestigia Ombrose adds and one Demonio Ombroso. These are slow moving adds that melee you for substantial damage. Avoid them at all costs.

Seme della Corruzione these adds to spread damage to them and throw Agonia on them in order to generate more shards if you are moving. They can be kited in a circle around the boss in order to cluster them up better. Always put Agonia on the Demonio Ombroso, as it has double the health of the other adds.

Phase 2

At roughly 65%, Karam will begin chasing you again and Raest will become immune. Try to have most of the adds dead by the time this happens.

Keep in mind the Shadowy adds from Phase 2 will continue chasing you throughout this period. Immediately throw your dots back onto Karam and begin cleaving him and the adds down if you can.

In this phase, Karam will begin summoning Mano Dimensionale, which cast Presa Fatua. This will deal alot of damage if it gets off. Fully DoT this add and interrupt it's cast with your Doomguard as it nears completion. They are also susceptible to Esilio and do not cast while banished. Do not hesitate to spend Anime Tormentate stacks to kill these, as they are the #1 priority whenever they are out. They have 6.45m health. If you can't seem to find them, they do appear on your boss frames so you can target them that way and send your Doomguard to interrupt them.

Be sure to keep Karam dotted and continuously kite him.

Intermission 2

When Karam's HP hits roughly 30%, he will again go into Purgatorio, healing for a portion of his health. Raest will then become active again, and begin casting a new ability alongside all of his previously abilities.

Be sure to position yourself so that the shadow adds are dragged on top of Raest, to make cleaving the most optimal.

In this phase, Raest begins casting Runa dell'Evocazione. This spell will summon a giant void creature that has 107m hp. These cannot be killed, but they can be avoided. If you position your pet, or yourself within the rune for about 4 seconds, it will disappear and nothing will happen. If the add spawns, it CAN be banished for 30 seconds.

Use and your second potion here.

Final Phase

When Karam has healed himself for the second time, he will begin chasing you "one last time!" This is the final stretch.

At this point, both bosses will be targetable.

Finish off the adds while making sure you keep the adds from Presa Fatua interrupted.

Keep having your pet, or yourself, soak the Runa dell'Evocazione and keep putting your gateway and Circolo Demoniaco to use. Keep kiting Karam and do not let yourself get hit by him until it's literally impossible to keep kiting him. If this happens, be sure to pop Determinazione Assoluta before taking the hit.

If you accidentally let a void add spawn, stay calm and banish it.

Continue to kill Raest as when he dies the encounter ends, You shouldn't hit Karam unless its to gain Shards for Raest or to slow him. Focus on the mechanics and get in as much damage as possible!